Gallup man arrested for aggravated assault with BB gun

Orlando S. Eddie, a Navajo living in Gallup, has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a weapon in connection with an incident that occurred on Apr. 26 in Gallup.

Gallup police officers were called to the area around Rocket Cafe, 1719 South Second Street, about noon in connection with a report of a man who pulled out a gun on three individuals.

When police arrived at the scene, they found Melvin Thompson, Sr., of Gamerco and two individuals from Rio Rancho, N.M., who said that they were at Rollie's Mortuary when they discovered that someone had broken into their car and stole a purse.

When they went to the field behind the cafe, they found Eddie, 31, who started calling them names and pulled out a gun. The three backed away and called the police. After a brief search, Eddie was placed under arrest.

They found a handgun in Eddie's backpack, which turned out to be a BB gun. He said he was out there shooting pigeons and denied using it to threaten anyone. In fact, he denied even seeing Thompson and his friends.